Second round of applications open for base financing of national minority Sunday schools

MISA has launched an additional round of applications for the base financing of national minority Sunday schools. The second round is open to any national minority Sunday school operating in Estonia that did not receive funding in the first round of applications.

The aim of the base financing of Sunday schools is to support the mother tongue and cultural studies in national minority Sunday schools of children whose mother tongue is a language other than Estonian. In accordance with the Hobby School Act, the Sunday schools that apply for financing must be registered in the Estonian Education Information System.

The funding is open to schools whose teaching activities involve at least 10 students during the academic year. 80% of Sunday school students or at least one of the parents of each student must be representatives of the national minority whose language and culture form the basis of the work of the Sunday school in question. The schools must teach at least 100 academic hours of language, culture and history per school year.

Sunday school places are open to children and young people between the ages of 3 and 18.

The total budget for the second round of applications is 14,450.57 euros. The deadline for the submission of applications is 23:59 on 19 September 2016. Information and materials for the application round can be found on the MISA website.

27 Sunday schools were awarded financing in the first round of applications. They operate in Tallinn, Tartu, Valga, Jõhvi, Sillamäe, Pärnu, Maardu, Viljandi, Toila and Kose.

The activities of national minority Sunday schools are financed by the Ministry of Education and Research via the national budget.

Additional language and culture studies to be offered at camps and with families

This year MISA launched an additional competition to support the organisation of Estonian language and culture studies in project camps and as part of homestays for young people aged 7-19 living in Estonia whose mother tongue is a language other than Estonian.

“Since there’s so much interest in the camps and homestays, we’ve corralled more resources for the organisation of both this year,” explained Jana Tondi, the head of language and cultural immersion with MISA. “The competition’s open to organisations that are interested in putting on a project camp during the autumn school holidays for at least 20 kids whose mother tongue is a language other than Estonian so as to showcase Estonia’s linguistic and cultural space for them and to give them the chance to speak to people their own age in Estonian. And the organisers of the homestays will have to provide at least 34 kids with the opportunity to spend the autumn holidays with an Estonian-speaking family.”

The overall aim of the project competition is to promote Estonia’s cultural space – historical and interesting sights and traditions – among young people aged 7-19 living in the country, as well as the national language, and to offer them an opportunity for contact with Estonian-speaking kids their own age. The activities of the camp and homestays must include age-appropriate, educational joint activities and excursions and participation in events.

“As part of the competition activities we’ll be supporting the kids’ non-formal Estonian language studies, in which they’ll be helped by Estonian-speaking youngsters the same age as them or by the kids their age in the families,” Tondi explained. “Family-based studies mean the kids have a constant and spontaneous need to use Estonian in everyday situations with other members of the family, where they have to focus on communication – there’s no time to think about what they’ve learned or any mistakes they might make. This gives them a better grasp of how to use the language and the chance to practise expressing themselves in a second language.”

Studies of Estonian language and culture at a camp or while staying with a family are designed for young people aged 7-19 who live in Estonia but whose mother tongue is a language other than Estonian, as well as for Estonians of the same age who speak the language as their mother tongue to provide support to the other camp-goers. This year MISA is supporting the participation of 1408 youngsters in the Estonian language and culture programmes of ongoing camps. 100 young people will also get to take part in an Estonian language project camp, while a further 34 will be practising their Estonian as part of homestays. The language and culture camp projects will be taking place from June to October.

The total budget for the competition is 21,545 euros. The organisation of studies within families and at camps is financed by the Ministry of Culture via the national budget. Information about the competition and the materials required for participation are available from the MISA website. The deadline for the submission of applications is 26 September 2016.

National minority Sunday schools are places where children and youngsters between the ages of 3 and 18 can explore the culture and learn the language of their forefathers. The studies also provide different age groups of children with a variety of options in regard to hobby activities.

In addition to studies of language and culture, Sunday schools offer lessons in other subjects related to national culture. For example, students can learn how to make national dishes, perform folk dances and songs or master handicraft techniques. Also, educational excursions are often organised for their students that are linked to the school’s curriculum.

Sunday school doors are open first and foremost to children whose parents, grandparents or more distant forefathers or who themselves are representatives of a national minority. Other youngsters are also accepted as students, regardless of their national background. Russian Sunday schools are primarily open to children from a Russian background who study at Estonian-language schools.

The network of Sunday schools is dense. The largest number of schools operates in Tallinn, but they can also be found in Tartu, Valga, Pärnu, Viljandi, Jõhvi, Narva, Sillamäe, Toila, Kose and Maardu.

Sunday school lessons generally take place once a week, and as the name suggests, on weekends – whether on Saturday or the Sunday itself. Studies tend to begin in September or early October and continue through to late May or early June. Lessons at many Sunday schools are free of charge for those taking part.

Sunday schools are a place where youngsters get to dig up their roots – their skills in their mother tongue are developed, their creativity is fostered and their knowledge of cultural history and traditions is broadened. As poet Juhan Liiv once said, “He who does not remember the past lives without a future.”

Information about Sunday school activities and the schools’ contact details can be found on the MISA website.

The activities of national minority Sunday schools are financed by the Ministry of Education and Research via the national budget.

A 100-hour course for permanent residents of Estonia with a low level of integration and new immigrants which started in Pärnu in spring came to an end on 12 August. The language lessons, which were organised by the Integration and Migration Foundation 'Our People' (known by its Estonian acronym MISA) and run by the NPO Atlasnet, took place three times a week on working days. Those who registered for the course did so with the aim of acquiring the B2 level in spoken and written Estonian.

A total of 41 people registered for language courses in Pärnu, 25 of whom wished to study Estonian at the B2 level. Putting the group together was complicated by the different starting times that the potential students preferred, leading to the organisers taking longer to finalise the list of participants. However, the B2 course was at last launched on 1 April, with the first lesson taking place in a room at Tammsaare School in Pärnu and involving 16 students.

The Pärnu course was led by Merle Taggu, an experienced instructor of Estonian as a second language who has taught Estonian to Russian-speaking students in general education schools in Pärnu and to adults on courses organised by both the Police and Border Guard Board and the Pärnu office of the Unemployment Insurance Fund. She is also a member of the management board of the Association of Teachers of Estonian as a Second Language.

Since there were not enough people with the same language skills to open a course in Pärnu, Merle accepted the challenge of working simultaneously with students at different language levels. As an experienced teacher she implemented a slightly different approach which helped to satisfy the needs and wishes of the stronger and weaker students alike. We asked her how the course went and how satisfied both she and the students were with the results.

“I realised straight away during the first lesson that the students weren’t all at the same level,” Merle recalls. “Some were A2; others were B2. But since the point of the course was to get them up to a level that would allow them to take the B2 exam, there was no way we could lower that threshold. This meant that a couple of the participants who were at the lower end of the scale and who’d overestimated their abilities pulled out.”

During the first few lessons there were further changes to the list of participants, with those who dropped out being replaced by those next in line. Merle says there were brave students at the A2 level who carried on with the stronger participants and who, by the end of the course, were glad that they had done so – since the extra vocabulary they learned encouraged them to speak more, and the relaxed Estonian-language environment they got used to during the course emboldened them to talk to Estonians outside of the classroom.

The people on the course quickly formed into a good working group, says their teacher. “Nobody was worried about their language skills, or lack of them,” Merle says. “They never shied away from taking part in role play situations. Most of them made up for their shortcomings using humour in any case!”

The stronger students developed and polished all of their existing skills, but considered it most important to improve their writing skills. Merle says that the participants were positively surprised by the end of the course at how freely they were able to make jokes, find the right wording and use the slang they had learned in conversation.

A lot of memorable things occurred during the course. For example, some new words seemed so strange to the Russian-speakers that they later ran them by their Estonian acquaintances to make sure they used the words when talking to one another. Merle says the students were taken aback when they found out that they really did. “And that’s what they joined the course for,” she says: “to find out those sorts of things about the language.”

At the start of the course the students were also asked why they were taking the lessons and what they expected from them. They said that they wanted to learn to speak to Estonians more freely and without any shame. “None of them were stressed about taking the exam or were doing the course because their employer expected them to,” Merle explains. “The 100 hours we spent together were about direct communication, analysing grammar, reviewing the kinds of writing that people need in their day-to-day lives, making jokes, watching bits of well-known films, listening to some great songs and talking about topical issues. The students always left in a good mood, and always thinking positively, regardless of the fact that most of them came to the lessons after a long day at work and then put in another three academic hours on top of that.”

Merle says she was pleased to hear her students say that the more grammar they learned, the harder it became for them to speak, since they were always trying to remember the rules and correct themselves in their heads. She says this showed that the students had knowingly gone into the language. For stress-free and spontaneous communication they simply need everyday language use at the B2 level, not conversation on mundane topics.

“It’s good to see that more and more Russian-speaking people want to learn Estonian for their own benefit, not because they have to,” Merle says. “That’s why you’ve got to motivate and encourage people to use the language more boldly and more actively. And that’s exactly what we did on our course.”

MISA is organising free Estonian courses at the A2, B1 and B2 levels until 2020 as part of the ‘Activities supporting integration in Estonian society’ project of the European Social Fund.

“I am a migrant” – Fascinating real-life stories of people who live in Estonia

In the next MISA newsletter we’ll be looking at the stories collected by the Estonian office of the International Organization for Migration about people who live in Estonia. All of these people have something in common; similar experience and knowledge – “I am a migrant”.

The first story is about Dan, an Estonian activist, volunteer and world-traveller with an interest in Middle Eastern culture, who shares his experience of life in Palestine.

Cultural immersion helps you learn a language – Dan’s story

Dan has a love for Middle Eastern cultures. As a teenager Dan was convinced he wanted to visit Palestine to understand its culture, faith and prevalent conflict. After finishing his studies he began looking for volunteers with previous experience in Palestine. “One village was recommended to me. I contacted the elder of the village, who did not speak English, but referred me to another volunteer.”

“At first I went with a tourist visa. It was difficult to constantly renew my visa, because it required a lot of traveling. All together I was in Palestine little over 3 years. In the spring of 2015 I returned to Estonia, but as a married man.

She was doing an internship at a kindergarten next to the school where I was teaching. I taught English to adults and asked if someone from the group could teach me Arabic, she did. At first everyone in the village did not think our relationship was possible. She told her father about me, so I met with her parents, siblings and other relatives. It was challenging as the village was rather conservative, but her family vouched for me. So in the end it all went well.

My wife teaches while I’m active in several local NGOs. I’m a support person to refugees through an NGO called ‘Johannes Mihkelsoni Keskus’. Having a direct contact with refugees inevitably destroys the stereotypes media portrays. Media has such a strong influence on how we understand things. In my work I find success stories most uplifting. It brings me so much joy when one of my clients starts speaking Estonian to me. I don’t know how or where he has learnt it, but the fact that he can say some basics shows self-motivation and initiation from his side. This type of positive cases are uplifting.

I also work with ‘Youth for Understanding’ student exchange programme. My experience shows that full cultural immersion helps with learning a language – students, who don’t know any Estonian when they first come here, speak it at a basic level few months later.

I also coordinate Arabic language courses at an NGO called ‘Ethical Links’. Our team has a substantial knowledge and experience of Arabic language and cultures. Among many activities we try to offer an alternative to mainstream media. You can read the news all you want, but real encounters are needed to overcome fears and misunderstandings. Last year we imitated an Arabic living room at a local event. We decorated our tent with cushions, carpets, offered Arabic food, taught name writing in Arabic and did henna decorations. We invited people to sit with us and discuss the questions they have. The problem with stereotypes is, they only show one side and amplify it. Fear of the other can be overcome through personal encounter.

My hope is Estonia will be a successful state and that common sense will win.”

Day of Nations events

The Day of Nations is celebrated in Estonia on 24 September, marking the anniversary of the first meeting of the Estonian National Minorities Forum. It has been part of the cultural calendar since 2005 and is dedicated to all of the nationalities living in Estonia.

National minority cultural associations are organising a range of events throughout September as part of the Day of Nations.

1 September saw the opening of an exhibition entitled ‘Ornaments in culture – culture in ornaments’ on the premises of Lüüra (the International Union of Associations of National Minorities) at Kaera 21A in Tallinn. The exhibition showcases 12 posters and original works that have been crocheted or made from felt or timber. The display provides an overview of the ornaments of five nationalities: Estonians, Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and Tatar people. The exhibition has been organised by the NPO Stiil, which is supported via the Kodurahu programme. It is open from 11:00-15:00 Monday to Friday. Admission is free of charge.

From 15:30-17:00 on 15 September ‘Russian Cultural Folk University’ Education Society management board member Tatjana Tšervova will be leading an excursion and conversation about the Dome Church, or the Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin in Tallinn (Toom-Kooli 6). Those interested are invited to gather outside the church beforehand. The event is being organised by the Union of Russian Educational and Charity Associations in Estonia.

From 12:00-13:30 on 20 September the conference room at the Russian Cultural Centre in Tallinn (Mere pst 5) will play host to a lecture by artist Sergei Minin entitled ‘My introduction to Kalevala: Artistic illustration as a text element’. The event is being organised by the Union of Russian Educational and Charity Associations in Estonia. Admission is free of charge.

From 11:00-13:00 on 22 September the conference room at the Russian Cultural Centre in Tallinn (Mere pst 5) will play host to a lecture by artist Valeri Laur entitled ‘Estonian art from 1970-1980: The work of Peeter Mudiste, Andres Tolts, Ando Kesküla, Olev Subbi, Enn Põldroos and Ludmilla Siim’. The event is being organised by the Union of Russian Educational and Charity Associations in Estonia. Admission is free of charge.

At 18:00 on 23 September the main hall at the Russian Cultural Centre in Tallinn (Mere pst 5) will be the venue for a folk collective concert entitled ‘Under the same sky’. It will feature performances by collectives of the Union of Russian Educational and Charity Associations in Estonia and members of Lüüra (the International Union of Associations of National Minorities). Admission is free of charge. Admission is free of charge.

At 17:00 on 24 September the ‘Raduga’ Union of National Minorities will be hosting a fun event dedicated to the Day of Nations at Nooruse Maja in Pärnu (Roheline 1B). Visitors will be able to watch and take part in a pageant of national costumes. Songs and poems of different nationalities will be performed and recited. Visitors will also have the chance to find out about folk customs and traditions and try well-known national dishes. Admission is free of charge.

At 14:00 on 24 September the main hall at the Russian Cultural Centre in Tallinn (Mere pst 5) will be the venue for a concert entitled ‘Russian song in my soul’. Folk music choirs and folklore ensembles from Narva, Kohtla-Järve and Tallinn will be performing. The event is being organised by the Union of Russian Educational and Charity Associations in Estonia. Admission is free of charge.

From 12:00-13:00 on 25 September Lüüra (the International Union of Associations of National Minorities) will be holding its open day. There will also be a concert, a showcase of national games and customs, an introduction to national cuisine and creative handicraft and art workshops. From 13:00-15:00 you can visit the ‘Golden autumn’ national cultural association fair in the courtyard of its premises in Tallinn (Kaera 21A). Admission is free of charge. For further information please contact: Larissa Ivaništševa, Lüüra member | E-mail: larissaiv@gmail.com |Mobile: +372 5805 3258.

At 18:00 on 25 September the small hall at the Russian Cultural Centre in Tallinn (Mere pst 5) will be the venue for a concert of Russian Philharmonic Association soloists entitled ‘We live here’. The programme features classical vocal and instrumental works of Russian, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Armenian and Estonian composers. The event is being organised by the Union of Russian Educational and Charity Associations in Estonia. Admission is free of charge.

National cultural association activities are supported by MISA through the national minority cultural association project competition, which is financed by the Ministry of Culture via the national budget.

Tarkovsky festival invites admirers of the art of film-making to the cinema

The 5th ‘Encounters with Tarkovsky’ festival is set to open at the Artis cinema in Tallinn at 17:00 on 14 September. This year’s festival is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Andrei Tarkovsky’s film Andrei Rublev and to the 30th anniversary of the director’s final film, The Sacrifice.

In his lifetime Tarkovsky became a classic of world cinema, but in his own country his fate was rather dramatic. After his successful debut with Ivan’s Childhood (1962), he made the historical drama Andrei Rublev (1966), which became the main drawcard at the XXII Cannes Film Festival in 1969. This year marks half a century since the film was completed. Also being screened at this year’s festival will be the director’s final film – The Sacrifice, produced in Sweden in 1986, which became a creative testament to Tarkovsky.

Visitors to the festival will also have the chance to see an exhibition entitled ‘Andrei Tarkovsky: His Final Film’ curated by Leila Alexander-Garrett, who served as an interpreter and the director’s assistant on The Sacrifice. The exhibition is illustrated by the photo story of two greats of Swedish cinema: two-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Sven Nykvist and actor Erland Josephson.

Festival events will be taking place throughout the month in Tallinn, Tartu, Sillamäe, Pärnu and Maardu. The programme includes films and documentaries, creative meetings and discussions.

The festival is being supported by MISA as part of the ‘Promotion of a unified field of information through cultural and sporting activities’ project competition, which is financed by the Ministry of Culture via the national budget.